Thomas a



(No Model.)

T. A. MITCHELL.

SALT CELLAR.

No. 392,052. Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

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nrrn rare THOMAS A. MITCHELL, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SALT-CELLAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,052, dated October 30, 1888,

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. MrroHnLL, of \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Salt-Cellars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of my invention applied to a glass or other vessel. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in table articles; and it consists in an improved top for salt-cellars or sugar-sitters and similar articles; and its objects are to provide a collar with a top in which the coarse grains of salt will be crushed, so that it will sift readily through the head of the top; and to these ends the invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction of the top, as will be fully understood from the following description, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, and particularly specified in the claims hereto appended.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A designates an ordinary glass or metal salt-cellar or similar vessel, having its mouth a screw-threaded, as shown.

B indicates the removable top, which is a deep cup-shaped metallic vessel properly pro vided on its open end with a screw-threaded portion, 1), adapted to engage with the threads of vessel A and secure the top thereon. The top B is closed at its upper end by a perforated portion, 0, the perforations c of which are of the ordinary size for the passage of condiments.

I) indicates a plate placed on top of vessel A and inclosed by top B, which top is provided with lugs E on its inner face, which impinge against said plate when top B is screwed into position and hold the plate in position. This plate Dis provided with large slots or perforations d, larger than openings 0, so that coarse particles of salt or condiment can pass therethrough.

F designates a ball, of metal, preferably, which is confined between plate D and top B, so that it can move freely over the plate, as shown.

Now when the vessel A, having the parts described, is inverted and shaken, any coarse particles of condiments-such as saltwill fall through plate D, but would not pass through the ordinary perforated plate, such as part 0 of top B. The ball F will then come into action, and upon shaking the vessel will play in top B above plate D, as is evident, and crush and grind the coarse particles until they can pass through openings f. It will thus be seen that much annoyance to users of the cellars provided with my improved tops will be saved.

In Fig. 2 the plate D is provided. with a screw-threaded flange, G, having threads on both faces, the inner threads engaging vessel A and the outer threads engaging the threads of" top 13, as shown. The ball being permitted free play in top B, will jar the top sufficiently to sift the salt or condiment through the top without necessitating striking the vessel A on the bottom, as is required generally by ordinary salt-cellars, to expel the contents therefrom.

. Having described my invention, I claim 1. The combination,inasalt-cellar, of a finelyperforated screw-threaded top, a loose perfo rated plate interposed between said top and the threaded neck of the cellar, being supported on the latter, and a ball confined in the top by said plate and moving freely therein in all directions, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with vessel A and the loose plate D, perforated as described, of the top 13, having lugs E, and the ball F, all sub stantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS A. iMiI'lGililELL.

\Vitnesses:

O. M. BALL, F. T. F, JonNsoN. 

